
LeVar Burton Reads
The best short fiction, handpicked by the best voice in podcasting and presented in 3D immersive audio. In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories by Stephen King, Toni Morrison, Nnedi Okorafor, Kurt Vonnegut, Ken Liu and more to life. So, if you’re ready, let’s take a deep breath...
Our immersive audio is best with headphones! If you'd prefer to listen without immersive audio, visit levarburtonpodcast.com/mono.
Latest episodes

Aug 20, 2019 • 39min
"Shoggoths in Traffic" by Tobias S. Buckell
Two co-workers repossess a car to make some quick cash, and get mixed up in a surprising and much larger scheme. Content advisory tags: Blood, Road CollisionThis episode is sponsored by The Great Courses (www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/LEVAR).

Aug 13, 2019 • 36min
"The Simplest Equation" by Nicky Drayden
A struggling college student gains new perspective on her studies from her classmate, who's come to study from another planet. This story was first published in Space and Time Magazine. This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses (www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/LEVAR) and Native (www.nativedeodorant.com code: LEVAR).

Jun 18, 2019 • 40min
"L'Aquilone du Estrellas (The Kite of Stars)" by Dean Francis Alfar
A young woman sets out on a quest to find all of the impossible materials needed to build a kite that can carry her to the stars.This episode is sponsored by Penguin Random House (www.penguinrandomhouse.com/levar), Calm (www.calm.com/LEVAR), and Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEVAR).

7 snips
Jun 11, 2019 • 48min
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" Part 2 by Ted Chiang
Join us for the conclusion of this time travel tale set in medieval Baghdad. “The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate” is from EXHALATION by Ted Chiang, published by Penguin Random House Audio, animprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.This episode is sponsored by Penguin Random House (www.penguinrandomhouse.com/levar) and Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEVAR).

9 snips
Jun 5, 2019 • 53min
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" Part 1 by Ted Chiang
A wandering merchant in medieval Baghdad is brought before the Caliph, and recounts tales of ingenious gates that allow time travel to the past and future. “The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate” is from EXHALATION by Ted Chiang, published by Penguin Random House Audio, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.This episode is sponsored by Penguin Random House (www.penguinrandomhouse.com/levar) and Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEVAR).

May 21, 2019 • 44min
"Toward Happy Civilization" by Samanta Schweblin
A man encounters a strange situation at a train station. He forms a strong connection with others and devises a plan to stop the train. They embark on a journey towards a happy civilization, filled with fear. The podcast episode concludes with acknowledgments, promotions, and details on accessing exclusive bonus author interviews.

May 14, 2019 • 40min
"The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex" by Tobias S. Buckell
A cab driver spends an ordinary day ferrying passengers around Manhattan -- until an incident involving a wealthy alien tourist imperils his livelihood. Content advisory: alien death.This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/LEVAR) and Aunt Fannie's (www.auntfannies.com/summer code: LEVAR).

May 7, 2019 • 42min
"Republica and Grau" by Daniel Alarcón
A ten year old boy is enlisted to help a blind man beg at a traffic intersection, and is exposed to a new side of humanity. “Republica and Grau” is from THE KING IS ALWAYS ABOVE THE PEOPLE by Daniel Alarcón, published by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.This episode is sponsored by Amazon Kindle (www.amazon.com/levarburton), Calm (www.calm.com/LEVAR), and Aunt Fannie's (www.auntfannies.com/summer code: LEVAR).

Apr 30, 2019 • 34min
"Mister Hadj's Sunset Ride" by Saladin Ahmed
A bounty hunter reminisces about his escapades with an old mentor and friend in this weird western. This story appears in the magazine BENEATH CEASELESS SKIES.This episode is sponsored by Amazon Kindle (www.amazon.com/levarburton).

Apr 16, 2019 • 45min
"Kwoon" by Charles Johnson
A martial arts instructor meets his match. "Kwoon" appears in Charles Johnson's collection DR. KING'S REFRIGERATOR AND OTHER BEDTIME STORIES.This episode is sponsored by Calm (www.calm.com/LEVAR) and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/LEVAR).